pfcm19940512POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MUSKEGO
A Special Preliminary Meeting of the Police and Fire Commission of
the City of Muskego was held on Thursday, May 12, 1994, at 7:30PM
purpose of this preliminary meeting was to allow a citizen's
in the conference room of the Muskego Police Department. The
was called to order at 7: 31PM by President Kreuser. Present were
complaint from Mrs. Marjorie Backhaus to be presented. The meeting
Commissioners Kreuser, James Haag, Richard Horn, William Martin,
and Blenda Treba; Chief Johnson; Mrs. Marjorie Backhaus; and the
attached list of guests.
April 21, 1994 meeting be approved at the next regular Commission
It was the consensus of the Commissioners that the minutes of the
meeting enabling Mrs. Backhaus to be heard immediately.
President Kreuser stated that the legal purpose of this meeting was
to determine whether Mrs. Backhaus' complaint met the following
criteria in respect to the 1993 Wisconsin Act 53:
1. The complaint is specific in nature.
2. The charges must be related to the performance of duties
the part of the targeted officer.
and/or compliance with the regulations of the Department on
3. The future performance of the officer could be affected if the
grounds are not work related.
4. The charges, if proven, must ' be sufficient to warrant
disciplinary action.
5. The charges are defamatory in nature.
A summary of Mrs Backhaus' complaint is as follows:
She was driving in the area of W16000 Janesville Road (Basse's
store) on Saturday, February 21, 1994, at approximately 5:30PM,
when she came upon an accident. It was very foggy and icy. The
truck behind her was tailgating and his bright lights were glaring
at the scene. She recognized one of the officers as "Lt." Geiszler
into her car. She slowed down to about 30mph. Two officers were
and asked him to please tell the truck driver not to drive so close
got home she called the police station and spoke to Lt. Geiszler.
to her car. Lt. Geiszler told her to, "move this car". After she
He stated he should have given her a ticket for driving so slow.
She felt he was being very unkind and discourteous to her. (Note:
Mrs. Backhaus was referring to Sgt. Geiszler--not Lt. Geiszler.)
In the past he has also called her a "damn liar" and her
granddaughter heard him. Many citizens are afraid to complain
about the officers' personalities and attitudes which should
improve a great deal, however, they are afraid to complain as they
own. Officers also sit outside taverns and follow people home.
fear retaliation. She is speaking on their behalf as well as her
She also continually calls on speeding vehicles operating on
Bellview Drive and nothing is done about it.
President Kreuser stated that if the complaint has met the above
listed specifics, then charges will be filed and there will be a
hearing with Mrs. Backhaus and the officers (and their Counsel)
present and able to defend themselves. If the specifics are not
met, then Mrs. Backhaus has 30 days to file formal charges with the
Chief of Police. The charges will be investigated, they will be
sent to the Police and Fire Commission and there will be a formal
hearing. .
Com. Treba asked where the officer was when he told Mrs. Backhaus
to move her car. Mrs. Backhaus stated her car was in the road and
he was next to it.
Com. Horn made the motion for the Commission to go into closed
Treba. The following Commissioners voted for same: Com. Haag,
session to discuss the preliminary meeting. Seconded by Com.
Commission then went into Closed Session.
Horn, Kreuser, Martin and Treba. Motion carried unanimously. The
Meetinq reconvened after beinq in Closed Session.
President Kreuser reported the following:
1. There were specific objections, however, the Commission did
not feel they were of a serious enough nature.
2. There were no Department rules broken and the officer was
performing his duty.
3. The grounds were not all work related but were not serious
enough to warrant having a hearing.
4. The charges were not serious enough to warrant a letter Of
reprimand, suspension or dismissal.
5. There was no defamation of character.
The Commission sympathizes with her problems. She has made her
point and it won't go unnoticed.
Corn. Haag moved that the meeting be adjourned. Secanded by Com.
Martin. Meeting adjourned at 8:13PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Fhchard A. Horn
Secretary